Did someone say ER? First off, Michael, I hope you're doing much, MUCH better. Secondly: I'm waiting for 2 ER bills, and I'm bracing myself. Last month I accidentally swallowed some water of my "curing" saltwater fishtank. It honestly was a mistake - I wasn't thirsty or anthing like that! (I was seen quickly due to my disorientation and the color of my tongue. I had to strip down to my underwear and put on one of those robes. When the (moronic) doctor came in to see me, he didn't even bother to look at my tongue. He asked me: "WHY would you drink saltwater?" I was so dumb-founded, I replied: "Because I was thirsty?" Of course I tried explaining that it was an accident, and tried handing him the sample water, which we had put into an empty bottle of Vitamin C. The good doctor took a look at the container and said: "Oh, you won't feel like that from taking Vit. C." A DUH!!!! Again I told him WHAT was in the container, but he was so preoccupied with God knows what, he said again: "Vitamin C won't discolor your tongue." Then I've had it. I told him he hadn't even bothered looking at my tongue, so how could he possibly know WHAT my tongue even looked like? My husband had to step in because I was ready to jump off my stretcher into the good doctor's face. To make a long story short (yeah..right), he sent me home. With NOTHING! He said to go see my family doctor if I got worse. No, they couldn't/wouldn't test the water, there was nothing they could do. 2 days later I was at my family doctor because I was developing a high fever on top of my black tongue and all other symptoms. They tested my blood AND the water. I had consumed some bad bacteria (gees - who would have guessed), and needed to be put on antibiotics QUICKLY. I even got an injection of antibiotics to give it a jumpstart. I was also put on a short term steroids, and within less than a week I was back to normal. So - considering what went on in the ER, what will they charge us? (I should charge THEM.) Saturday my oldest son busted his knee open at the beach and went to the ER. They found it necessary to take X-rays before administering 6 stitches. Sigh! So I have a pretty good idea how much we'll be paying. ---- rant over...sorry everyone

Right now my back yard is pretty full of bromeliads, and I have I don't know how many different kinds, from pineapple to Portea petropolitana extensa. I also have Meyer lemon, Eureka lemon, blood orange, Kaffir lime, bay tree, white sapote, cherimoya, avocado, banana, papaya, Fuji apple, Bearss lime, and some shrubs. I also have a large collection of orchid cactus (epiphyllum) and a small collection of orchids, mostly epidendrums and cymbidiums, plus some cattelaya, dendrobium, and several others that I do not know the names of. I have one tiny orchid that makes flowers with an intense coconut fragrance. I also have quite a few South African succulents in the back yard. My dill is making flowers now, but I have basil, chives, Greek oregano, Italian oregano, and rosemary. I used to have some mint, but I don't know what happened to it. I also have a couple of chocolate Habanero plants that appear finally to be growing, but I probably won't get chilies from them until December. Here's a bromeliad that is just now blooming after my having it almost four years:Vriesea Mint Julep. Here are some more bromeliads in the pergolaHere are some in the back yard in front of my pitaya plant:I have to keep moving them around, and some of them cannot take too much sunlight, which makes this a somewhat difficult time of year. Anyway, I am trying to make my back yard a very pleasant place to relax while I am recuperating. I very much enjoy looking at all my flowers plus the hummingbirds and other birds that visit the yard. I need to clean out the fountains, but that can wait.

Roarah, I'll give you a tip for testing the paint colors. Instead of just slapping a swatch of each in a row on a wall, actually paint a LARGE amount of each around something. For instance, paint the Vintage charm around the mirror, all four sides; the smokey blue behind the top of the small chest and the picture above it; the Silver Mist behind the headboard of the frame. This way, you get a much better idea as to who the color will work actually painted in the room, up to the trip, contrasting with the furniture, etc. It makes a HUGE difference. If you can do each up, or down, to the trim, or along a door/window trim as well, even better.

-Vanessa, thank you. I would also love to hear what you brought home with you! Did Glenn's enthusiasm for The Minnesota Mafia get you too? Lol. BTW...Did you see the kittens? OMG, I wanted to take the little blonde ones home! When you post your newbies, add Cabbage Patch too? I've been meaning to ask you how it's doing? Mine seemed "tame" last year. Yours? -BC, I said Hi to Glenn for you and he had a big grin on his face when he realized who it was I was referring to. Such a friendly and likeable fellow. :). I asked how he fertilizes and it's all granular, time release little green bb's! -Jerry, yes, ecstatic is a good description...about everything! I'm not sure how many he actually dug up for me (I was all over and everywhere) but it is standard practice for them to be potted up in new pots, and filled with a freshly mixed, lovely fluffy mixture that resembles my own! Mini Skirt was dug right up from a growing bed! I was very lucky to get it that day. Lets talk budget then, lol! I took a set amount in cash (more than I needed) and when my order was rung through, which included 4 more hostas than my list, I still had $ left over. i laughingly said, "I can't go home with this money, I brought it to buy hostas so... I need to get more hostas!" Two more hostas, a bit of fertilizer and I was efficiently shopped out, Lol - my job was done! So....Attach a box like Paula and her husband had, got on that bike, and head on over to Glenn's! There are many gorgeous hostas waiting for you! -NHL, thank you for that and yes, I'll be posting progress pics for sure. Golden Gate will get brighter, Beet Salad beefier, Jujen will finish unfurling as will its Mama .. and the list goes on... -Dave, Mickfields is enormous! Almost too large an assembly? it gives a totally different vibe, doesn't it? We have one or two that are huge, full nurseries (trees/shrubs/vines/perennials of all sorts) but have gone overboard, IMO on all kinds of extraneous non-gardening doo-dads, including clothing! and don't specialize in hostas but at least offer a broad enough selection. I prefer the home-based or family-run businesses/nurseries for the personal approach and display gardens. We need more like them. The hosta business has been booming for many years in North America. I don't think it will ever "go out of style". Regardless of what some say, the hosta business is a cash cow...but you have to love hostas a lot not to mind all the countless hours of work.